Why is There the Need for so Many Different Kinds of Holy Bible Translations for people?
This short article will address in a simple way the question, “Why are there so many Bible translations?” The question is legitimate and many other questions emerge as a result of this one. So, let’s cover the question with some questions, okay?
What is a Bible translation? Properly understood, a true Bible translation is the process of converting the text of the original Greek manuscripts (and a little Aramaic) for the New Testament and Hebrew (and a little Chaldean) for the Old Testament into another language.
The language these New Testament scripts were written in were originally authored in Koine Greek. The Greek of the ordinary man as opposed to Classical Greek. The Hebrew of the Old Testament is still amazingly similar to the Hebrew of today. In a very real sense, the first writings were written in the common language of the people of their times.
The translating of Scripture has been done in several thousand different languages. Whole ministries exist to continue the process of Scripture translation until every tribe and tongue has the Bible, or least a part of it, in their own language.
Are all Bibles you see in a bookstore translations from original manuscripts? More correctly they are translations from a compilation of those manuscripts that exist in book form. An example of this for New Testament translation is the famous Textus Receptus. Greek scholars use these compilations in the work of New Testament translation just as Hebrew scholars use the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament.
It is important for you to understand that all Bibles in a bookstore are not exactly translations. Some are paraphrases. A paraphrase is where a scholar basically tries to put the Bible text into a similar meaning that may be more easily understood by a contemporary reader. Technically, this is called use of the dynamic equivalent. In other words, a chariot in Bible days might be seen as a car in our day. Lots of arguments have ensued over these items between scholars.
Which translation is the best? When it comes to translations some are more wooden (literal), while others may be a little more loose with the translation. Anyway, we will leave the debates to the scholars about which serves a greater purpose. Between strict loyalty to the laws of translating and the need for people to clearly understand there is a battlefield of argument. I say let’s just pursue reading and praying for understanding of whatever version of a translation we do read.
There are many different versions of the English translations of the Bible available today and most Bible readers have their favorite. Some are completely loyal to the King James Version (KJV) of 1611 while others choose the New Living Translation. I personally like the New King James Version and it is the one I also use most on the online bible study site I make available for surfers. I like it because I grew up on the KJV and the New King James Version (NJKV) reads similarly but the antiquated words like “concupiscence” have been updated to words we can actually understand. I do want to clarify that when people argue about the KJV of 1611, it is really not the original KJV of 1611 they are reading. Reading it is like reading the Canterbury Tales. Besides, what about other language groups who do not speak English? To be so rigid as to allow nothing but an English version of the Bible is a little short sighted in addition to being prideful. We should have respect for the Bible in all its forms.
My answer to the question, “What is the best Bible Translation?” is simply, “The one you can best understand and that draws your heart toward God.” Most translations are really good.
Now back to the question that birthed the title of this article, “Why are there so many translations?” First, because there are so many different languages spoken on the planet. You would have to go back to Babel to try and undo this fact. Secondly, there are so many translations, because the Bible is an absolutely exhilarating and inspired book. It is amazing that the same verse of Scripture can produce so many different sermons and most of them good. Like to read sermons? Free online bible study are offered online to anyone at anytime. It’s part of my ministry as a pastor.
Yes, the Bible is an absolutely amazing book. Men have died to protect it, died to translate it, and died to deliver it to others who have never read it. Such a book cannot be left alone. Conversely, others have spent their lives trying to destroy it. It lives on and I encourage you to read it today. God Bless You!
Eddie Lawrence of Sermon Seedbed
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